Stars Come Out For Calhoun Charity Game At Mohegan Sun

The 2014 Jim Calhoun Celebrity Classic charity All-Star Game was held Friday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena. Proceeds benefit the Pat and Jim Calhoun Cardiology Center at UConn Health.

DOM AMORE, damore@courant.com

UNCASVILLE — Before Rudy Gay could get a sentence out, Andre Drummond snuck up from behind and grabbed his shoulders.

"That's my new teammate right there," Gay said. "We have little side bets in games. I bet him $100 he couldn't block my shot — and I won."

The two former Huskies are both on the current 16-man USA Basketball roster and could soon be playing for a world championship. Gay, who left UConn for the NBA after his sophomore season in 2006, was named Friday to replace Kevin Durant, who pulled out earlier this week. There are still four cuts to be made.

"I'm in shape, I'm ready, I know what to expect," Gay said.

Drummond, who turns 21 on Sunday and Gay, whose 28th birthday is Aug. 17, were part of the who's who of Huskies basketball that gathered for Jim Calhoun's Charity All-Star Classic before 7,152 at Mohegan Sun Arena.

The former Huskies were there in part for raise money for cardiac research, in part to renew old friendships and in part to celebrate the latest of UConn's four national championships.

Gay, who was cut from the Olympic squad two years ago, averaged 20.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists for the Sacramento Kings last season after they acquired him from Toronto in December. Gay shot 48 percent from the floor with the Kings, quieting those who thought he was not an efficient player for the Grizzlies, his original team, or the Raptors.

"I have changed [my game] a lot," he said. "You've got to learn how to make your teammates better, and it took me a little while, just like it takes other people a little while. I'm getting better at that and now I'm becoming a better teammate. I'm in a good place right now, all over — with my team, my family and the game."

With the loss of Paul George to a broken leg and the withdrawal of Durant, the U.S. team USA will need tall, athletic players for the FIBA World Cup in Spain beginning Aug. 30. Gay, at 6 feet 8, can provide that.

Ryan Boatright, who chose to come back for his senior season, was reveling in the Huskies legends around him. He talked about his decision.

"I was going to leave [for the NBA]," he said, "but I took as long as I did to make the right decision, and I think I made the right decision. … I've worked too hard all my life — I believe I'm a better player than a second-round pick. So I want to give it another year, try to raise my stock."

Boatright and his former roommate, DeAndre Daniels, always envisioned leaving together. But Daniels did leave early, and after playing in the summer league for the Raptors, who picked him in the second round, he is heading to Australia.

"I'm going for four months, then I'll come back and be with the Raptors," Daniels said. "I'm just going to go out there and try to get better."

Tyler Olander, who will be playing in Lithuania, and Lasan Kromah, who is heading for Hungary, were also back for their first reunion. Shabazz Napier did not make it.

New Lease On Life For Gordon

Ben Gordon, 31, played only 19 games for Charlotte last season and was waived March 2.

"I didn't know what to expect this offseason," said Gordon, who helped the Huskies win the 2004 title and was the No. 3 pick in the draft that year. "[The Magic] reached out to my agent and said they wanted to bring me in for an interview and workout, They offered me a contract, too. It's a testament to me working hard and staying focused no matter what. I was able to earn my way back in for my 11th season."

Gordon signed a two-year, $9 million contract with Orlando last month.

Cherishing Every Title

Khalid El-Amin (1999), Gordon ('04), Kemba Walker (2011) and Daniels (2014) carried UConn's four trophies out to the floor. Fans had the chance to take pictures with the four trophies.

"Every time the program wins, it makes our championship a little more special," Gordon said. "It shows our school is a powerhouse. It just makes you proud. Seeing the girls and men win again — I thought we'd never do that again. It was amazing. … I saw them in New York, and seeing the poise that Napier had and the way Coach Ollie was able to instill his will into that team, I said 'They might be able to win a championship.'"

Said Walker: "It just says this is one of the best programs in the country. Guys put a lot of work in and shows — especially with the last two championships. Both were kind of unexpected. My team, I don't think anyone thought we could do what we did, and a few years later Shabazz turned into one of the best leaders this school has ever seen, and wins another one."

"Incredible," Allen said. "Great to watch, great to celebrate down the stretch. It was a pleasure to see over the course of the season, the adversity they went through. That's always the sign of every championship team. You go through tough times and guys put it together and make miracles happen."

Calhoun's Day

"Bottom line is seeing the guys," Calhoun said. "It's a great thing to come back, you look up there and think about the kids and their dedication."

"It's really important to keep the continuum of giving back."

Since 1999, this event has raised $6.5 million for cardiac research and life-saving care at the Pat and Jim Calhoun Cardiology Center, and Friday night figured to boost it quite a bit more.

Calhoun had a few old barbs prepared. He asked Rashad Anderson, who has lost weight, why he didn't do that while he was at UConn. … Allen said he is not ready to announce a decision about playing a 19th season. "It's August and I don't want to rush to judgment," he said. "I want to get to September and see how I really feel." Speculation, of course, is rampant that he will rejoin LeBron James in Cleveland. … Steve Pikiell, coach at Stony Brook, missed the event because of the death of his father, Joe. ... A documentary on Calhoun's life and career (Jim Calhoun: Born To Lead), produced by L.C. Cragg and Chris Martens, has been completed and will premier at the Bushnell on Oct. 2. Details on its eventual telecasting are to be determined. … Two years ago, Calhoun missed the event when he fractured his hip in a cycling accident. "I stayed off my bike today to make sure I got here," he said.